Paranoia

I don't know what I have to be stressed about, but I am under such an inordinate amount of stress lately that I'm about ready to break down. It's the physiological effects I'm having a hard time dealing with — the pressure in my chest and racing heart, the dizzy spells and hot flashes, the difficulty breathing and the debilitating sense of foreboding that prevents me from doing pretty much anything other than staring blankly into space wondering when it's all going to end. I long for the day when this feeling will subside.

A couple nights ago, I was sitting on my couch reading a book, the least stressful activity I could possibly do, when I felt what I can only describe as a fluttering in my chest. It was the briefest of vibrations — less than five seconds total — but it was enough to capture my attention. It happened several more times that night, a handful of times yesterday and at least twice so far today, which makes me wonder... should I be concerned?

Doc told me I'm wound too tight and that I should cut back on my caffeine (he should talk!) and try to calm down (ok, where's my prescription for Xanax?) but it's not quite so simple. Yes, I had one fewer coffee today than yesterday (without any sugar, I should be commended), but I can't stop fretting. I can't not feel like the world's going to implode, or that something equally bad is going to happen. 

I need to take a deep breath — good air in, bad air out — and try to relax before I give myself a heart attack at the tender age of 27.